Fastener for rocker box covers



July 17, 1934. F. A. THAHELD FASTENER FOR ROCKER BOX COVERS Filed April4. 1932 Patented July 17, 1934 1,966,772 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEFASTENEE FOR ROCKER BOX COVERS Feri A. Thaheld, Dallas, Tex, assignor toGulberson Diesel Engine Company, Dover, M, a corporation of DelawareApplication April 4, 1932, Serial No. 603,091

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This invention relates to new and useful infprovements in fasteners forrocker box covers.

The invention has particularly to do with fasteners for securing orholding in place the covers used on the rocker boxes of internalcombustion engines of the radial type.

One object of the invention is to provide a fastening for a rocker boxcover, whereby the use of bolts, nuts, keys and other fastenersnecessitating the use of tools, is avoided.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a simple andinexpensive fastener for a rocker box cover, which may be readilyattached to the nut and bolt on the sides of the rocker box, and engagedover the ends of the cover.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient fastener whichwill securely hold the cover on the box, and which may be readily liftedto release the cover when it is desired to remove the same.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing inwhich an example of the invention is shown, 'and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one of the cylinders of an internalcombustion engine showing a fastener constructedin accordance with theinvention and in position on the rocker box top.

Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, andshowing the fastener applied thereto.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the same.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fastener.

In the drawing the numeral 10 designates an ordinary rocker box, such asis found on internal combustion engines of the radial type. The box isprovided with a transverse bolt 11 fastened by a nut 12. The usualrocker arm (not shown) is journaled on this bolt within the box. Thisbox has an elliptical shape and its upper or outer end is closed by alid or cover 13. The cover has a flange 14, which is offset inwardlyfrom its edge so as to snugly engage within the top of the box 10 whenthe cover is placed thereon, thus holding the cover against lateraldisplacement.

In carrying out the invention I provide a fastener 15, which ispreferably formed of a single piece of spring wire. This wire is shapedinto an elongated loop, and its ends suitably welded or brazed together.At one end the loop is formed with-a lug 16 by bending the wire uponitself. At the opposite end the loop has secured thereon 9. lug 1'7. Theends of the wire may be united, and secured in the lug 17 which issuitably fastened on the wire.

on opposite sides the wire is coiled to provide single coils 18intermediate the ends of the loop. The loop is also bent or curvedthroughout its length whereby its ends are elevated above its centralportion.

The fastener is sprung over the cover 13, and the sides of the box 10 sothat the coils 18 may be engaged around the head of the bolt 11 and thenut 12. This causes the fastener to assume asubstantial V-shape as isshown in Figure 2. The ends of the fastener will rest upon the ends ofthe cover 13. In order to assure a proper fastening and preventaccidental displacement of the cover, bosses 19 are provided on the endportions of the cover and are so located that the ends of the fasteners.will bear thereagainst.

When it is desired to remove the cover 13 a suitable tool is engagedwith the lugs 16 and 17, whereby the end. portions of the fastener areswung upwardly, the coils 18 acting as hinges. When the ends of thefastener are elevated the cover may be lifted and slid longitudinally,and thus removed from the box. In replacing the cover the ends of thefastener are lifted, and when the cover is in position these ends arereleased. The resilient nature of the fastener causes it to snuglyembrace the cover, and the bosses prevent displacement.

The description which has been given, recites more or less detail of aparticular embodiment of the invention, which is set forth as new anduseful, however, I desire it understood that the invention is notlimited to such exact details of construction because it is manifestthat changes and modifications may be made, within the scope of theappended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A fastener means for the cover of a box having a pair of opposedprojections, said cover including a pair of spaced bosses, comprising anelongated wire loop having coils intermediate its ends adapted to bereceived by said projections, the ends of the loop being engaged overthe cover, and in engagement with said bosses.

2. A fastener means for the cover of abox having a pair of opposedprojections, comprising an elongated wire loop having coils intermediateits ends adapted to be received by said projections, the ends of theloop being engaged over the ends of the cover.

FERIA. THAHELD.

